Process of clamping wires and wire clamp



M y 1936 o. .17 STONECIPHER 2,039,452

PROCESS OF CLAMPING WIRES AND WIRE CLAMP Filed June 24, 1933 l i} i a.

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INVENTOR. 0507/? J roxvfclflltfi ATTORNEYS,

Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES Oscar J. Stonecipher,Taylorville,-Ill., assignor'of one-half to Adam Lang, Indianapolis;Ind.-

Application June 24, 1933, Serial No. 677,414

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a process of clamping wires and a wire clampsuitable for either hot wire application or -cold wire application. Byhot wire is meant anelectrical conductor that has potential appliedthereto. By cold wire is meant an electrical conductor that has nopotential applied thereto at the time the connection to anotherconductor is made or broken by means of the application or removal of aclamp connector respectively.

The-chief object of this invention is to provide a clamp suitable forthe purpose set forth and which requires but a single standard typeinsulated socket wrench when used for hot wire purposes or a standardsocket wrench when used for cold wire application, and which clamp is soarranged that it can accommodate not only the main line or mainconductor but one or more branch lines or conductors that are.

to be electrically and manually'connected to the main line and with aminimum of effort.

One feature of the invention consists in the construction of the clampdevice such that not only is it adapted for substantial socket-wrench"application but the parts are few and but four in number and at leasttwo of the same may be screw machine products and possibly the other twoparts may be similarly manufactured, or if not, may be manufactured atthe same production rate on a wire working machine and made from longwire stock.

The essentials of the device consist of a base, a nut, and a pair ofJbo1ts.

The gist of the invention is that the base slidably supports the pair ofJ-bolts in association The base to facilitate the handling of the.

various wires may be provided with bores or recesses into which theshort end. or ends of the branch wire, or wires, respectively may beinserted so that the base serves as -a temporary support and anchoragefor the branch wire or wires in the mounting operation.

The socket wrench not only nests the nut but the lower portion of thebase-below the recesses,

et cetera, sothat the initial turning movement of the socket wrenchcauses the entire structure to turn until the main line lies parallel tothe grooveand the branch line, or lines, and a continued turning of thewrench following a slight. withdrawal of the wrench, sufficient to clearthe wrench from the base, will causethe nut-to thread itself on thethreads of the J-hooks and draw down the J-hooks into clamping relationacross all of the wires in the groove, the several wires beingv retainedin the'groove by sideengagement with the vertically upstanding portionsof the hooks.

There thus results a multiple clamp engage-- ment between the branchwire, or wires, and the main line constituting a firm connection andthereby eliminating a single contact clamp connection which, it has beenfound, will cause through repeated movement of the wires, either themain line or usually the branch line, to sever at the connection. Thepresent invention eliminates this source of failure.

It will be apparent that no special tool other than an ordinary socketwrench is required for cold wire application. Herein the arrangement isshownfor a hexagonal structure and, therefore, a hexagonal socket wrenchwould be employed.

A square connecting structure is also included within the scope of thisinvention and then a square socket wrench would be employed.

The idea of a base. and a nutfor clamping wires together is old butthis'has an objection, to wit, that due to the constant relative move--ment between the branch wire and the main wire, there is-introduced atwisting or turning action that is transmitted to the connection whichworks on the connection between "the nut and the base and ultimatelythis action will serve to loosen the nut from the base and the branchwire will escape even though the. entire clamp remains on themain wire.

Another serious objection has been found to this previous constructionwhich is eliminated by the present invention and this is that wheneverthere is any slight loosening of the clamp, there results a poorconnection between the main and branch-line, or lines, which seriously:interferes with radio reception and. is objectionable on the load end ofthe branch line due to the fluctuation in voltage. This also introducesa serious variable factor'into the transmission line system. It has.been known with this oldtypeof construction:- that 'suificientresistance'is sometimes introduced. at the connection so thatsufficientheatnccurs locally at the connection and results in themelting of the wire. This may be the main wire, the branch wire or both,thereby resulting in line failure as an extreme condition. All of thisis eliminated by the present invention.

The present invention eliminates this possibility of the loosening ofthe clamp for the following reason: The J-hooks constitute the solethreaded connection between the base and the nut and, therefore, thethreaded connection is localized in the nut where the threadedengagement is obtained with the J-hooks. This distorts to a slightdegree the threads in the nut and when the nut is firmly threaded to itsfinal position, the threads are so distorted in the final clamping orturning of the nut so as to constitute an automatic lock and preventsubsequent loosening of the nut should any resulting strains or stressbe transmitted to the clamping connection as a unit.

In other words, the present connection practically eliminates everysource of failure or objection heretofore found in the art, except onetype of failure that is present in all constructions and cannot beeliminated, and this is due to the fact that the branch line may bedirected at such an angle to the main line that main line movement inthe wind will transmit through the connection a strain or stress to thebranch line where it leads from the connection so that crystallizationby fatigue occurs adjacent thereto in the branch line and ultimately thebranch line will crystallize and separate. When that occurs all that isnecessary in the present invention is to reconnect the branch by asimilar unit and remove the old connection if desired. The oldconnection, in that event, then will have to have the nut portion onlyretapped to reform the distorted portions of the thread into regularformation, whereupon the entire unit may be again used, and such reusesmay occur until the threads are practically destroyed in the nut. It, ofcourse, will be apparent that due to slight variation in wires that thedistortions on a second and subsequent application of the unit will notusually occur at the same portion of the threads in the nut as it hasheretofore occurred and only in an exceptional case will thatregistration again occur.

It is to be noted that in the present invention complete and positivecontrol over the unit during its mounting is possible and this is notpossible with the previous structures used in the industry, unless twoor more tools were required, one to hold one element in place and holdit on the wire, and another to operate the clamping element whileholding the first element.

It is to be understood also that the unit may be made in various sizesand only a minimum number of standard sizes will be used. Each standardsize of unit is adapted to accommodate within its range any size of mainwire within that range and any number of branch wires also within theselected range. It is not necessary also that the branch wires be of thesame size nor that the branch wires be the same size as of the mainwire.

Any suitable material may be employed in the construction of theJ-hooks, the nut and base constituting the four essential elements ofthis invention but it is preferred to make the aforesaid of bronzebecause it is non-corrosive. When units of this character are to be usedon aluminum transmission lines, of which there are many now in use. thebronze or other metallic material preferably will be chromium or cadmiumplated to eliminate the possibility of electro chemical action betweenthe clamping unit and the aluminum main.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention alsocontemplates a new and improved process of connecting one or more branchwires to a main line wire, particularly by the use of a single turningtool such as a socket wrench and which may be applied while the mainline circuit is closed, the connection then made while the circuit is inthis condition, being known as a hot wire application. The steps of theprocess are as follows:-

The branch wire, or wires, is, or are, respectively, laid in the grooveor upon the upper face of the base of the connecting unit and the shortend of the wire is suitably anchored to the base as hereinafter setforth so that when the base is associated with the single tool, thelatter from its insulated end may be turned without the lineman beingrequired to hold or otherwise maintain the branch wire, or wires, inassociated relation with the base of the clamp or any other part of theconnecting unit.

The two J-hooks are then in elevated relation with respect to the baseand the nut is positioned below the base and has initial threadedengagement with the lower ends of the J-hooks. The socket wrench, orother turning tool, nestingly receives the nut and the extreme lowerportion of the base.

The turning tool then is elevated so that the main line wire willreadily pass between the two substantially parallel curved portions ofthe J- hooks and then further elevational movement is applied until themain line wire engages the branch wire or wires. Thereupon the turningtool is turned in the direction for threading the nut and about aquarter turn which positions the main line wire beneath the J-hooks andcontinued rotational movement of the base and branch wires is preventedbecause the main line wire engages the two J-hooks upon the adjacentsides of the vertical portions thereof and holds the base againstturning. The turning tool is then lowered or withdrawn a sufiicientdistance to clear the base of the connecting unit but not to permit thenut to escape from the turning tool. Continued turning of the turningtool in the same direction then causes the nut to approach the base andthis movement takes place until the nut engages a shoulder on the base,when further advancing movement of the nut toward the base is prevented.Continued rotation of the turning tool then causes the nut to swivel onthe base or swivel with relation to the base and such movement drawsdown the clamping bolts upon the branch and main wires and this movementis continued until the resistance of the clamping connection between theJ -hooks, the base and the several associated wires indicates to thelineman that additional turning movement is unnecessary. Thereafter theturning tool is further withdrawn so that the nut and all the otherassociated parts of the connecting unit are entirely free from theconnecting unit and the connection is then complete.

It will be apparent from the aforesaid that the lineman making theconnection can use two hands to the single turning tool and need nothave any direct connection with the main line wire or may use one handfor gripping the pole, which frequently is necessary when working in thehigh wind and which assists in steadying the lineman on the pole, thelineman working on the pole usually supporting himself thereon by a pairof climbing irons and a belt strap.

The turning tool employed may be a wooden pole that mounts on one end asocket wrench. The pole may be anywhere from three to five feet longbut, of course, may be shorter or longer, this being about the usualdesired length.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawing and the following specification and claims:

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a three-wiretransmission system, the topportion of a turning tool, a pair of branchwires, and the connecting unit.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the connecting unit with the wires in theclamped and final position, the dotted line indicating an initial andmounting position of the main wire.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the connecting unit associated withthe top of a turning tool, the latter being shownin section.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. 3 andshows the initial assembly position of the parts of the connecting unitprevious to mounting.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the connecting unit.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the connecting unit inwire-clamping relation, parts of the unit being broken away to showother parts in detail.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the plated base.

Fig. 8 is a diametrical sectional view of the plated nut.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an unattached plated hook.

The following consists of an exemplification of apparatus suitable forpracticing the process before mentioned.

In the drawing, l0 indicates a conventional line pole, which isillustrated as mounting a cross arm H, and which supports a three-wirepower transmission system having the line wires l2, I3 and I4, wire l2being supported on the pole by a single insulator i5 and wires I3 and I4being supported on the pole by insulators l6 and I1 respectively,carried by the cross arm- H. Any other form of transmission line systemmay be employed.

It is customary in electrical transmission systerns to transmit energyat 2300 or 3300 Volts and energy is supplied to the consumer, generally,through a single phase transformer usually mounted on the transmissionline pole and from thence to the consumer, the voltage being usually 220volts. Where the load is connected to the branch circuit, the switchingconnection usually includes a meter and then a switch box and leadingfrom the switch box is an intermediate line so that there are 110 voltsbetween the center line and each of the outside pair of lines, and theload is usually divided, approximately onehalf applied across one mainline and the common line, and the other half of the load is appliedacross the other main line and the common line.

Also illustrated in Fig. 1 is an insulated pole of the aforesaidcharacter and indicated by the numeral H8. The same terminates in asocket wrench structure l9 adapted to sustain and operate the connectingunit. 20 indicates one branch wire and 2| the free end thereof. 22indicates another branch wire and 23 the free end thereof. 24 indicatesthe base and 25 and 26 the J-hooks.

The nut' is not shown in Fig. 1, being seated in the socket wrench. Inthe other figures the nut is indicated by the numeral 21.

The J-hooks as illustrated comprise a relatively straight portion 28 anda relatively flat curved end 29. The lower portion upon the sideopposite the curved portion is threaded as at 36 and when assembled withthe nut and the base the lowermost thread at 3| is deformed to normallylock the several parts of the connecting unit. together.

The base 24 in its preferred form includes a shallow groove 32 thatextends across the upper face thereof. A cylindrical depending guide andswivel portion 33 is integral with the base and this in depth isapproximately the thickness of the nut 21. Both the nut and the upperportion 24 of the base preferably have the same outline which herein isshown hexagonal and preferably are of the same size, although it is notessential that this be true. If it is not true, then a special form ofsocket wrench must be employed which is the reason both nut and baseportion 24 are preferably of the same size. If they are not of the samesize, the base portion 24 must be larger than the nut 21.

The diameter of the depending substantially cylindrical portion 33 of.the base is less than the smallest interior of the diameter of the nutso that the nut may freely swivel on the same. The base, where it joinsthe depending portion 33, forms a shoulder 34 which is curved outwardlyand upwardly as at 35 so that no burrs can obstruct or interfere withthe free swivelling of the nut on the cylindrical portion. The adjacentportion of nut is similarly relieved.

To eliminate the necessity of extending the threading of the J-hooks inexcessive distance upwardly, the nut has its internal bore enlarged asat 36 and the remainder of the bore is threaded as at 31.

The base is provided with two parallel openings 33, which openings areextended as partially cylindrical grooves 39 in the dependingsubstantialiy cylindrical portion 33 of the base. Each J-hook isslidably supported in the two aligned portions, opening 38 and thepartially cylindrical groove 39. When the base groove 32 is employed,the two adjacent portions of the side walls of the holes 38 lie at thetwo opposite edges of the groove 32 as at 40.

As previously set forth, the two J-hooks are mounted in the openings 38and the nut is threaded thereon, while the J-hooks are arranged so as tostraddle the groove and have their curved portions substantiallyparallel to each other. The nut is then threaded upon the J-hooks untilthe J-hooks slightly project below the bottom plane of the nut,whereupon the end threads on the J-hooks are deformed so as to lock theparts of the unit together. In this position the bottom of the dependingportion 33 of the base may lie above the top of the nut or in the sameplane therewith or extend a slight distance into the same. This is theway the unit is assembled by the manufacturer and sold to the customer.

The lineman in applying the unit telescopes the nut upon the cylindricaldepending portion 33 which forces the .l-hooks upwardly and thus formsthe equivalent of a groove between the two curved portions of the J-hookand this equivalent groove is the space through which the main wirepasses in the elevation of the entire unit in the mounting operation.

If the unit is only designed for connecting a pair of wires, a bore ispositioned above the bottom plane of the base portion 24 andsubstantially parallel to the groove 32. This hole is indicated by thenumeral 4| and is adapted to receive from opposite ends the oppositeends 2! and 23 of the branch wires 20 and 22, shown in Fig. 1. The bore4! forms a temporary anchorage for the branch wires. When the unit isadapted to connect more than a pair of branch wires, other bores 4| maybe provided and herein a second one is illustrated and if desired, sincethe unit is shown in hexagonal formation, even a third bore may beprovided. Naturally, all of these bores intersect. However, if desired,the bores need not extend entirely through and then there would beprovided -in the base equivalent recesses that would not communicatewith each other at their inner ends.

As previously set forth, the completed unit is nested in a socket wrenchso that the nut and only a small lowermost portion of the base 24 arereceived by the socket wrench and then after the branch wires have beenlaid in the groove and their ends positioned into the bores or recesses4| the unit and branch wire ends are elevated so that the J-hooks passon both sides of the main wire. The turning tool is then turned up aquarter turn to position the main wire against the two adjacent sides ofthe J -hooks and then after the turning tool is slightly withdrawnsuficiently to release the base, continued turning movement serves todraw down the J-hooks into clamping engagement upon the main wire andthe branch wires to clampingly connect the wires together. Aftersufiicient clamping action has been obtained, the turning tool isremoved from the connecting unit and the connection is completed.

In the event that it is desired to replace the unit for one reason oranother, the turning tool is applied. to the connection while on themain wire and the tool is reversely turned to back-off the nut until itengages the last or deformed threads, whereupon the turning movement isstopped. Then the turning tool is elevated and it is turned a quarterturn in the unthreading direction which again repositions the unit withrespect to the main wire such that upon lowering movement of the turningtool with the unit therein it will serve to entirely free the main wirefrom the branch wires and the connecting unit.

In Fig. '7, the numeral H designates the plated surface of base 24. InFig. 8, the numeral I01 designates the plated surface of nut 21. In Fig.9 the numeral I02 designates the plated surface of hook 28.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in'great detailin the drawing and foregoing description, the same is to be consideredillustrative and not restrictive in character and the modificationsthereof which have been suggested as well as those which will readilysuggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are considered to bewithin the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:-

l. The process of multiply clamping a bra h wire to a main hot wirethrough a single application and use of a single turning tool and aconnector unit comprising a base, a nut and an opposed pair, curved hookconstruction comprising a pair of inverted J-hooks, the hook portions ofthe pair being spaced apart above the base and the other portionsextending through the base for nut engagement, comprising suitablyanchoring the branch wire to the connector base, the branch wireextending across the upper face of the base and substantially transverseto the spaced curved portions of the hook construction, associating thebase and nut with the turning tool, positioning the branch wire and thebase with the curved portions of the hook construction parallel to eachother and the main wire until the bottom of the main wire engages thetop of the branch wire, turning the branch wire, base, hook constructionand nut as a unit until the main wire is in substantial alignment withthe branch wire and in side engagement with the elongated portions ofthe hook construction for preventing further turning of the baserelative to the main wire, then disassociating the turning toolsufiiciently to only free the base therefrom, then turning the tool andthe nut relative to the base for clamping the wires together, and thencompletely disassociating the turning tool from the nut.

2. A clamping unit including in combination a base, a dependingsubstantially cylindrical and non-threaded portion rigid with the base,a member extending slidably through the base and depending portion, thelongitudinal axis of the member being eccentric of the common axis ofthe base and depending portion, the latter laterally exposing a threadedlongitudinal surface of the member between the ends thereof beyond thebase, said member having an offset portion opposite the threaded portionand overhanging the base, and a nut coaxially swivelable relative to thedepending portion and having eccentric threaded engagement with thethreaded portion of the member, the interior bore of the nut beingenlarged to telescopically receive the depending portion, the bottom ofthe enlargement serving as a stop for nesting movement of the basedepending portion in the nut enlargement.

3. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires includingin combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hookfor each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curvedportions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative tothe base.

4. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires includingin combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hookfor each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each Jhook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curvedportions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J-hooks and rotative relative to thebase said nut engaging the lower face of the base for the purpose setforth, said base having a depending portion nestable in the nut apertureand extending-from hook to hook for parallelism maintenanceof thethreaded portions.

5. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires includingin combination a base, a pair of of parallel bor s therethrough, aJ-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein. the curved portion ofeach J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hookbeing'positioned and terminating respectively'above the upper face ofthe base for the purposesdescribed, each hook having a threadedportion'adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threadedportion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only androtative'relative to the base, said base having a groove in its faceadjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projectingoppositely across said groove.

6. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires includingin combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J- hookfor each bore and slidably mounted therein,

the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction ofthe other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantiallyparto the adjacent bores in the base.

'7. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a'pair of parallel bores therethrough,a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portionof each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindricalgrooves in registration with said bores and slidably receivingsaid-hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks.

8. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires includingin combinationa base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hookfor each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of eachJ-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curvedportions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J- hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a substantially cylindricaldependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partiallycylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidablyreceiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, saidnut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with thedepending portion.

plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallelbores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein,the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction ofthe other bore,"

stantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the baseand including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with saidbores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portionof said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent itscon-- nection with the depending portion, the lower outermost edge ofthe base being relieved for nut clearance.

plurality of wires including in combination a base, "a 'pair of parallelbores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and .tslidably mountedtherein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the generaldirection of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced andsubstantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curvedportion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminatingrespecpurposes described, each book having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the -J-hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, saidbase including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindricalgrooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving saidhooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said'nut engag-'ing the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with thedepending portion, said base having a groove in its face adjacent thecurved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositelyacross'said groove.

11. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough,a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curvedportion-of-each J-hook extending in the general' direction of the :otherbore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallelrelation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end ofeach hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upperface of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threadedportion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threadedportion for simulta- 9. A connector unit for clamping together a,",10

relative to the base, said base including a sub- 10. A connector unitfor clamping together a tively above the upper face of the base for the'neous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to thebase, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portionof lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical groovesin registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks andexposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lowerface of the base adjacent its connection with the depending portion, thelower outermost edge of the base being relieved for nut clearance, saidbase having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of thehooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove.

12. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bore therethrough, aJ- hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portionof each J-hook extending in the general direction of the otherbore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindricalgrooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving saidhooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engagingthe lower face of the base adjacent its con-- nection with the dependingportion, said base having a groove in its face adjacent the curvedportions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across saidgroove, the opposite edges of the groove being substantially tangentialto the adjacent bores in the base.

13. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough,a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portionof each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindricalgrooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving saidhooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engagingthe lower face of the base adjacent its connection with the dependingportion, the lower edge of the base being relieved for nut clearance,saidbase having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of thehooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove, theopposite edges of the groove being substantially tangential to theadjacent bores in the base.

14. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough,a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portionof each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J- hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindircalgrooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving saidhooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said base includinga recessed portion for temporarily anchoring the end of one of thewires.

15. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough,a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portionof each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, said base including a recessed portion for temporarilyanchoring the end of one of the wires, said base including a hookspacing portion receivable by said nut.

16. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wiresincluding in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough,a

J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion ofeach J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, thecurved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation andoppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook beingpositioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the basefor the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacentthe straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion forsimultaneous connection with the J -hooks only and rotative relative tothe base, the straight end of one of the J-hooks having a lateralenlargement preventing accidental separation of the base and nut, saidbase including a hook spacing portion receivable by said nut.

OSCAR J STONECIPHER.

